George Edward Woell

George Edward Woell, 95 years, died Saturday, February 24, 2018 in Onalaska, WI after a short time in Hospice care. He was born March 23, 1922 in Browerville, Minnesota to Edward and Anna (Laumeyer) Woell, the 3 ^rd of 4 children. George attended St. Peter’s Catholic School and graduated from Browerville High School in 1940. He worked at Thompson Lumber Yard before joining the Marines in 1942 to fight in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. He saw action in Bougainville, Guam and Okinawa as a radio communications specialist with the 155 Gun Battalion, a division of the 1 ^st Marines. He was honorably discharged in August 1945.

Upon returning to the United States, George found employment with the Great Northern Railroad in 1946 in Minot, North Dakota, working as a fireman on steam locomotives and eventually as an engineer. During this time, he saw the railroad’s redevelopment and merger into The Burlington Northern Railway. George retired from the BN in 1987.

George married Catherine “Katie” J. Korenic, whom he met at his brother’s wedding after a three-month courtship. They were married on Valentine’s Day 1953 in Milwaukee. Together they settled in Minot and raised five children. They had a passionate and dedicated union and were together for 55 years until Katie’s death in 2008.

While in Minot, George started Woell Construction Company (1950). He and his partner, John Keller worked together to build over 350 homes in and in the surrounding Minot area. They also built homes at the nearby Minot Air Force Base. George retired and closed out Woell Construction in 1995.

Throughout his life in Minot, George exhibited great leadership, organizational skills and perseverance in many organizations. He was a problem-solving and determined individual who was a proficient fund-raiser and constantly sought to improve himself and his community. He was active in politics as a Labor representative and as a Past State Chairperson of the Legislative Board of Locomotive Engineers, where he served as a National Secretary/Treasurer. George was a precinct committee person for the Democratic NPL Party, 41 ^st District, for ten years. He was a past director of the Burlington Northern Employees’ Club, the Minot Area Development Corporation, the Minot Planning Commission, the Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee, and the Mental Health Society of Ward County. He was active in the American Red Cross and Community Chest, and held many leadership positions at St. Leo’s Catholic Church and the PTA at St. Leo’s and Roosevelt Schools. George was past President and Secretary/Treasurer of the Minot Sertoma Club for which he worked tirelessly to raise funds. He served on the North Dakota Milk Stabilization Board for seven years. George also served on the Board of Regents at Minot State College under Gordon B. Olson. In 1972 he was chosen Burlington Northern Railway’s “Man of the Year” from among its 45,000 employees.

George was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and was a Disabled American Veterans Life Member. He was proud to serve for six years as the director of the Railroad Museum in Minot’s Roosevelt Park.

He had a passion for raising New Zealand White Rabbits and founded the NoDak Rabbit Marketing Corporation in Granville, North Dakota which he dissolved in 1978. He was past president of the New Zealand Federation Rabbit Breeders and Rabbit Club and served as a judge of rabbits at the ND State Fair for the 4-H Division.

George had a great love of the outdoors, hunting ducks as a young man and raising chickens and rabbits in which he took great pride. He loved his small farm north of Minot and raised a variety of garden vegetables and fruits which he made into preserves and wine. He loved history and often talked of his German roots. He was a dedicated provider and loving father to his surviving four children.

George is survived by his daughters; Catherine (Gary) Walth of Onalaska, WI, Mary (William) Flickinger of Brookfiled, WI, Ann Woell of Moorhead, MN and son, Dr. Edward Woell (Lisa Kernek) of Macomb, IL. He has nine grandchildren; Michael (Amy), Therese, Sarah, Jacqueline, Christine, Katherine, Madeline (Justin), David and Julia. Four great-grandchildren; Jacob, Emily, William and Evangeline and numerous nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his wife, Katie; his daughter, Therese Ann in 1978, and all of his siblings and their spouses, as well as all of Katie’s immediate family, particularly a very dear sister-in-law, Therese Korenic.

A memorial service for George was held on March 4 ^th in Onalaska, Wisconsin. He will be laid to rest in Rosehill Cemetery, Minot, North Dakota. Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of Onalaska is assisting the family.

George liked to say: “One must Plant in order to Reap.” Blessed be the memory of George E. Woell.